Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Heavy showers, hail, snow tops, thunder
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail on higher terrain, rain or hail lower down. Risk of a rumble of thunder and isolated lightning.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Heavy showers, hail, snow tops, thunder
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail on higher terrain, rain or hail lower down. Risk of a rumble of thunder and isolated lightning.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 1st November 2025
Last updated
Fri 31st Oct 25 at
4:19PM
Summary for all mountain areas
In Scotland morning rain breaks into afternoon showers, most frequent west with hail and risk thunder. Strong gales on high tops of England and Wales at dawn, these easing though remaining windy. A rainy morning as well, breaking into showers; a risk of hail and thunder on mountains near the west coast.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Variable rain and fog early, then afternoon showers; windy, gales
How windy? (On the Munros)
From dawn, southerly 30-35mph, soon orienting west-southwesterly and rising to 40-45mph, some stronger gusts possible around precipitation. Chance of lighter speeds central highlands around dawn with variable direction, though confidence is low.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous most of the day on higher areas and considerable wind chill, especially near precipitation. Conditions may change rapidly over the central highlands in the early hours.
How Wet?
Morning rain breaks to heavy showers, mostly west
Periods of rain through morning, though several hours may be largely dry, best chance east Cairngorms and Deeside. Rain breaks into heavy showers afternoon with hail and increasingly snow, as low as 1000m.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable early, at times extensive; breaks afternoon
Variable cloud early: lowest and most persistent over Monadhliath, around 600-700m, more broken east and northern Cairngorms for a time before extensive for several hours. Cloud breaks and bases rise to around 900m, though will lower again in showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, rising to 40% later
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun breaking out through the afternoon, a few over the Cairngorms early as well. Visibility will vary as precipitation comes and goes.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C at dawn, possibly locally warmer on northern Cairngorms. Widely dropping to 1C. Feeling like -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above the summits at dawn, gradually lowering to 1100m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 2nd November 2025
Last updated
Fri 31st Oct 25 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 45-50mph, may locally reach 55mph+ over high tops afternoon. Lighter winds just around dawn.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking most of the day; balance and mobility in direct wind likely requires crouching.
How Wet?
Mostly central highlands, some drifts east
Regular light rain around Drumochter areas. Occasional spots of light rain drift further east, increasingly frequent afternoon over Monadhliath and western Cairngorms. Deeside remains substantially dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive southern slopes
Extensive cloud over high tops with lower bases to the south, lowest near Drumochter. Base tends to lift, though high southern terrain remains shrouded, more extensive banks possible later. Cloud well broken on northern slopes
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, locally 30% northernmost slopes
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine north of the Cairngorm Plateau and towards the Moray Firth. Excellent visibility out of cloud, though often poor on southern slopes.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or +1C, rising to 3C. higher overnight. Always slightly warmer northern slopes. Feeling near -15C in wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, slowly rising after sunrise to around 1200m or higher afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 3rd November 2025
Last updated
Fri 31st Oct 25 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-40mph at and before dawn, soon rising to 45-55mph. Gusty over high terrain, up to 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect widely difficult conditions with significant wind chill. Buffeting gusts require bracing/crouching for balance.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, setting in later
Rain from dawn passes northeast, followed by local patches for much of the day. Rain remains fairly persistent near Drumochter, then a broader swathe of rain reaches all areas later.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Terrain shrouded from middle slopes upward, lowest bases around Drumochter/southern Monadhliath. Higher bases on northern Cairngorm slopes, some breaks may reach to 900m for a time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely overcast and dull, with poor visibility. Some bright periods possible northern Cairngorms where visibility will be good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, locally warmer northern slopes. Only small change with added height. Feeling like -8C in strongest direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
An extended period (well into November) of frequent rainfall, particularly western mountains where widely considerable accumulation will at times pose a flood risk. Atlantic winds will be often strong, gale force at times. Temperatures generally near or above average: brief interludes in Scotland where freezing level drops below higher summits, resulting in snow on highest terrain, though little accumulation and soon melting. Brighter periods will punctuate the rain, best of cloud clearing hills away from the west coast. A few brief settled periods will occur as well, though unlikely longer than a day and timing is uncertain.